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A great nation is dependent upon its people. A great nation is a nation of laws, prowess and great leaders.

In times of crisis America has been that nation. We have along history of greatness, devotion, strength, and most importantly a sense of who we are.

We move from the 20th Century into this new century and much has changed. But yet much has remained the same. The challenge is to look at what we have accomplished in our short history, the creation of a Democracy, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, a Civil War, the American Industrial Revolution to becoming a World Leader and a beacon for liberty. The past came with sacrifice and pain which in all likelihood must count as something toward our greatness.

Today, we appear to suffer from a lack of knowledge on what made us who we are. We, as a people suffer from false interpretations of history, or a thorough incompetence of history. We require relearning American History and the importance of knowing and understanding it so that we can maintain our nation of laws and a sense of who we are.
Relearning history does not require recreating history to meet our expectations or biases, it requires a clear understanding of our past without political correctness, bias, or even factional interpretation. So much of our present is tied up in factionalism, (ex.Tea Party) political correctness, and just plain old poor education that our current and future leaders lack; the overall preparedness for leadership

Today, we have business people who are more concerned about money then the good of the economy or government. Business leaders and government leaders have no concept of “Noblesse Oblige” and it shows in our current state of affairs. The Congress and the office of the Presidency lack the will to conduct themselves as the standard bearers of democracy. The political infighting in this country has drained us of strength necessary to solve the many problems we face. Our leaders are weak, our public is caught up in factionalism which is destructive to the very purpose of our founding. And while all this is going on, corporations and large financial powerhouses are eroding the voting of the average American. Individual voters cannot compete against super political action committees (PAC’s) or groups, and of course the 2 party system uses its power to sway and confuse the public. Another aspect of our history and political system is that the parties control the political process even as they rotate power between each other.

The media of the 21st Century is no different then it was in the 19th. Their biases and choices are forever present, they select vocabulary, confuse issues, rewrite or slant positions for or against a candidate or the issue. Of course politics is about election or re-election and thus the media must comply or be without news. The media is so complicit in the machinery of politics that when new ideas, new election processes (ex: Americans Elect) or political candidates from 3rd parties compete the process is stacked against the newcomer.

But then, our democracy is ugly and full of the public with their individual concepts and precepts of how each of us should live. That is why the public was a concern for James Madison, he knew that the public had many biases and operated from factions. According to Madison the public was dangerous and needed to be controlled or led by those in Congress. What we got was the public in Congress with its biases and factions.

In Defense of our Nation we must not shrink from our role as the world’s leader, but we must have the strength and conviction to know what must be done at home. As the world’s leader we must regain the political, economic, and social strengths of our greatness. Wars of intrusion, national interests, oil, or the perception that we must intervene in the internal affairs of others whatever the reason must be weighed carefully.
A nations leadership on the world stage is both internal and external.

The sovereignty of this nation also dictates that the suspension of any rights under the Constitution due to war, terrorism, fear, politics or religious view is a slippery slope that this nation cannot allow or endure. The rights of the people are paramount. We must not return to the parts of American History that are disgraceful, violated law, or were just plain bad. We cannot on the other hand forget the impact of the past for it is what made us.

In Defense of Our Nation the voters must screen out factions, biases, political ideologies, and demand accountability, integrity, and less ugliness from the public. We need a government that we can respect and one the world respects.

As I read this article what I found was a deliberate and conscious effort of conservatives and radical conservatives to violate the concepts of the Constitution and the basic principles of liberty. Who gives any one the right to determine the fate or rights of women in this country other then women. The last time I checked they are US citizens.

I am tired of hearing the sanctimonious right tell the American people they fight for the American people and the Constitution. The Republicans and the Democrats who support any laws that interfere with a woman’s health are in direct violation of the Constitution.

The wave of idiocy on abortion and health has gone so far that we as a nation will be looking at a regression of healthcare and basic liberties. Do we really want to return to the days when abortion and family planning was not discussed, when death was common, and women were considered incapable of making decisions for themselves.

The laws and proposed laws at all governmental levels are draconian and are the vision of a few individuals who will impose their will on the majority. Could this issue be only one of many on the Radical Rights agenda?

The article from the LA Times is interesting in that it refers to Americans Elect as a third-party and that it is privately run. Americans Elect is in fact a nominating process which received initial start-up funding from Peter Ackerman. It should be noted that the initial money was a loan which is to be paid back and all other funding is in the form of contributions from individuals. Funds are not accepted from the candidates, special interests, lobbyists, corporations, PACs, or political parties.

Do some voters and commentators have concerns about Americans Elect? In retrospect I suppose they do. Let me try to put some light on who we are?

First of all, we are not a party, we are a nominating process that is nonpartisan using a secure online convention,we do not have an agenda, a candidate, nor do we advocate for a position. The process is tied to the voters directly, they put together the issues that the candidates submit their positions on the issues.

Second, the candidate(s) will go through a balloting process by the voters /delegates which will narrow down the potential candidates in April / May. The candidates must declare their intent to run and choose a running mate from another party. There is no censor or board of censors who determines the worthiness of a candidate. The candidates however do have to file with the Federal Election Commission and full disclosure laws and submit qualifications to a Certification Committee.

It is important to remember that as the election season moves forward there will be accusations, challenges, and questions from the media and public. Americans Elect is about the voter and the issues that concern him or her. As the momentum grows and Americans Elect is added to the ballot lines across the country,( are currently on 12 states ballot lines) perhaps the political editors will address Americans Elect as a Nominating Process and not as a third-party. The advisors to President Obama have acknowledged the influence of Americans Elect and have begun to try to discredit the efforts of Americans Elect. Both parties are concerned because the right candidate could syphon votes or damage the electability of their candidate.

AmericansElect.Org has the information the voter needs to know about the organization and how to participate. I encourage both the concerned voter and the skeptic to really check it out.

Americans Elect is a brand new process that allows all registered voters the opportunity to participate in the political process. It is a nominating process not a new party. It began securing spots on the ballots of the 50 states in 2010.

Why now? Every voter deserves an equal vote in the nominating process. Does your residence determine how much your primary vote counts? Do you or your state have a less than meaningful vote? Are an independent with no say in the primary system? Are you one of the millions who is angry, and disillusioned with the current two-party system? Then perhaps this is your opportunity to make sure that your voice counts.

Another significant element to this coming election is the use of technology. Americans Elect is going to have in place a cost effective process to reach out to millions of voters, a secure online convention, and the ability to verify every voter and accurately count every vote.

Americans Elect does not support or oppose any candidate or draft movement, it is simply providing the infrastructure for a better way of participation. It will be the first direct online nominating convention giving the voters the power to decide the issues, choose the candidates and nominate a third ticket.

The nominating process is unique in that it is open to all registered voters in America. The registered voters may sign up with Americans Elect and become voting delegates regardless of party affiliation. The intent of Americans Elect is to allow the American people a choice that goes beyond the two-party system. The candidate running for president may formally file on the website. A question that is asked is “Could a candidate from a major party candidate also file to be included on the website?” Yes they could. Another option open to the Delegates is the power to draft any constitutionally qualified person.

Another important part of the nominating process issues is the open forum. At the open forum the delegates can discuss their issues and opinions with other delegates. At this moment many topics are being entered and discussed by individual delegates for possible inclusion in the platform questions each candidate will answer. A Platform Committee will put together the Delegates inputs and compare them with the American publics issues and their priorities before codifying the platform of questions.

Americans Elect is a Nominating Process for all of America. It allows for direct participation in all aspects of the election process from becoming a delegate, selecting topics for the Platform Committee and finally having a candidate that represents the American people.

Ideological parties are archaic in today’s thinking. When a party basis’ its beliefs on set of principles than is it really relative to our historical situation of 2011. The Republican Party is just one example of a party stuck in neutral. But so, is the Democratic party, for all their rhetoric they cannot see Progressive gains without tying them to the old liberal ideas of the past.

Ideology is foolish when it does not allow for change, compromise, social and economic advancement or for dynamic fluctuations in the psyche of the general public. Occupy Wall Street (OWS) is a dynamic change in thinking, reacting, and in communicating ideas and beliefs. The OWS movement was not anticipated, but it has galvanized a broad spectrum of Americans. If the movement carries forward and continues to grow it could help shape a very unique and interesting election. The media cannot clearly define the Occupy Wall Street movement because it does not lend itself well to soundbites.

The Tea Party faction has similar complaints that OWS has about politics. The Conservatives of the Republican Right are not very keen on turning on big business, their political allies, or their interest groups which ply them with money. It takes leadership, foresight, fortitude, and an understanding of being Progressive without destroying the country. Currently, there is no one in the GOP capable of doing or acting in this manner. Ideology and pledges can be damaging, and unforgiving if there is a time when the breaking of either is necessary, such as no taxes.

It remains to be seen if Ideology will carry the day for the Republicans. If anything they had best move cautiously because the average American is slowly awakening. Politics, banks, financial entities are in the crossfire, not because they are anti-American but truly exercising their right to free speech.

The Democrats who believe they are above the fray are foolish to think so. They are just as guilty, that guilt comes from arrogance. The displacing of leadership, dereliction of duty, and the Liberal Ideology has become old. The idea that government can do all things is no longer possible. The Ideology of the Democrats must change from a Liberal to a Progressive perspective. These two ideas are not the same. Progressive is progress. The current leaders of the Democratic Party are from a generation of liberal activity and belief that is no longer viable.

There are many problems that this nation must resolve and to solve them it will take courage, not ideology, cronyism, corruption, political favors, or money. The ideology of yesterday must change. The new ideology must be one that addresses America’s strengths not weaknesses. It must break the “Financial-Political Complex.”.

When is ideology foolish? When the viability and the sustainability of it is not worth destroying a country over “principle”.

The new ideology must become a futuristic. It must be multi-faceted, and it must be clearly a part of who we are, as a people through our Declaration of Independence and our US Constitution.

Are you a member of the middle class, the working poor, a small businessman, or perhaps a wealthy individual, then perhaps this election could be different for you. As a voter would you be interested in putting a candidate on the ballot by direct nomination. The nominating process will be online and will consist of American voters across a wide spectrum. The voters who register on Americans Elect website and sign up as delegates the voter to have a choice beyond the two-party system.

The delegates will have the opportunity to rank their issues according to their priorities and compare their opinions and priorities with other delegates. A platform of questions will be created by the Americans Elect Platform Committee and policy experts based upon the priorities and issues most important to the delegates by question and answer. A comparison to the general public will be made on the issues. The candidate (s) will be required to respond to the Platform of Questions.

Neither the voter nor the candidate has to give up his political party to participate in this first of its kind direct election on the web.

Americans Elect provides a lot of information on the goals and rules by which they will participate in the election of 2012. If you are interested or just curious about Americans Elect. org it could change the way you look at politics and elections.

The suffering of the American people during the election process; Is it really necessary? In 2000, 52% of the eligible voters voted,about 49% for George Bush, 49% for Al Gore. The election in 2008 wasn’t much better in total turnout. We are losing both the current voter, but also our potential voters because of the process we believe is the only one that works.. We Can and We Must do better.

It has become a series of non-informative non debates about who the GOP wants in the White House. The political season is far too long, acrimonious, childish, and destructive to the voting process. I do not believe the American people need to subject themselves to the antics of the candidates to determine who is the best for the job.

We need a process that is narrow, clearly defined by issues, and effective. The debates are more about personal attacks, accusations, falsehoods, misrepresentation of facts, and being a politician for politics sake. The elected officials of today have an agenda that in many cases does not fit the electorate. Perhaps the voter needs to be more assertive in demanding better representation and reliable and factual information from the fourth estate.

An idea that comes to mind is something like the following;

1. The entire election process should be held in the same year as the election. This would include all primaries and caucuses. The election for office between the major parties would be between September 1 and election day in November.

2. No campaigning prior to January 1st of the election year.

3. Full disclosure of all financial records, all campaign funds, and any non- financial, gifts, contributions, other politically related monies. All funds spent from the candidates personal accounts must be recorded. Political Action Committees and other political organizations would be free to contribute to their candidate, but only after the 1st of the year of the election year.

4. Businesses, corporations, companies financial institutions, unions, and other business / political organizations will not be allowed to fund an election as if they are an individual voter. Individuals within such organizations can contribute to a candidate’s campaign so long as it is representative of the individual voters. Business are not people.

The last three elements listed below should be the ones that put the pressure on the candidate.

5. The media must be investigative and thorough when investigating all candidates. It is the responsibility of the press to inform the electorate.

6 The electorate must keep themselves informed about all issues.

7. Currently no debates. They are forums in crisis. Let us make the forums worthwhile, challenging, and clearly defining for both the candidate and the voter The moderators must have specific questions and demand short specific answers without the crossfire dialogue. The candidate must answer the question. The candidates must know what the ground rules are and they should be public. If the candidate cannot work within this framework than they can be excused from the forum. The moderator must inform the public why the candidate is a no-show.